Bradford Bulls have confirmed their first signing since returning to Super League with a former Hull KR man arriving at the Odsal club.
The Bulls placed tenth on the IMG grading criteria meaning they have returned to Super League for the first time in 11 years and they’ve wasted no time in announcing a new recruit.
Having already signed Andy Ackers earlier in the week following his release from Leeds Rhinos, the Bulls have made another spine signing with Rowan Milnes returning to Bradford.
Milnes started his career with Bradford, progressing through their academy and then making his debut in 2018 before earning a move to Hull KR.
He’d spend time with the Robins before joining Castleford Tigers in 2024, before then re-signing with Hull KR and being loaned to Salford Red Devils.
Off-contract at the end of the 2025 season, he’s quickly found himself a Super League club and it just so happens to be his boyhood club of Bradford following their return to the big time. The club have confirmed he’s inked a two-year deal on his return.
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Bradford Bulls sign Rowan Milnes
Still just 26, the left-footed playmaker will be a great addition for Bradford especially as someone who knows what it means to represent the Bulls.
He played just twelve times for Castleford in 2025 but was very impressive during his time with Salford Red Devils as he helped guide an inexperienced side around the park.
Having left Bradford in the 2020 campaign, he now returns with the club back in Super League and he has goals to return them to their former glory.
Speaking on the move, he said: “It’s exciting to be back, driving down here it felt like I was back home – it’s a nice feeling, it’s a really exciting time to be joining and I just cannot wait to get going now.
“I grew up as a four year old lad on the terraces with my family and ever since I left I had the feeling I would end up back here one day and having watched the good things being done on and off the pitch, when the phone call came with the opportunity to come back I grabbed it with both hands.
“Coming back I cannot really put into words what it means. I’m passionate about this club and wanted to see it get back to Super League and hopefully we can have a good season. I watched the club for so many years and pulling that shirt on for the first time was special, now to be able to do it in Super League it’s the stuff I’ve dreamed of.”
What’s also key is that Milnes worked with current Bradford boss Kurt Haggerty whilst on loan at Salford, something he made reference to.
He said: “I worked with Kurt for a brief period at Salford and I was really impressed with his knowledge and how he delivers his messages. When I got the phone call saying he wanted me to come and play for him it gives me belief and I want to make sure I repay his faith with my performances on the pitch.”
Haggerty added: “One of Rowan’s biggest strengths is the way he manages a game. On plays 4 and 5 he is one of the best in the competition when he’s on it and with the style of rugby we want to play a controlling 7 is really important because we’re going to have to calm sets down to finish the way we want to.
“He’s a local lad who was desperate to come back and play for the Bulls in Super League. I worked with him at the back end of my time at Salford and got to see parts of his game I hadn’t seen and needed to see. He is also a fantastic young man, a really good bloke to have in the environment and we’re really excited to have him.”
❤️ Welcome home.#RunWithTheBulls pic.twitter.com/CGEmY4MfPF
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) October 17, 2025
